‘Good to be back’
Broadbell looks to further success after reuniting with Stephen Francis at MVP Track Club
After returning to the Stephen Francis-led MVP Track Club, Olympic bronze medallist Rasheed Broadbell says he’s aiming to become one of the fastest men in sprint hurdles history and dominate at the World Athletic Championships next year.
The former St Jago High standout started his professional career at the University of Technology (UTech)-based club in 2019 but left in 2021 due to a reported falling-out and subsequently joined Elite Performance Track Club with Head Coach Reynaldo Walcott.
Under Walcott, Broadbell won bronze in the men’s 110m hurdles at the Paris Olympics this summer, Commonwealth Games gold in 2022, as well as two national titles in 2023 and 2024.
However, just months after his Olympic success, the 24-year-old made the move back to MVP in October where he has begun training for the 2025 season.
Although not providing a reason for his departure from Elite Performance, Broadbell told the Jamaica Observer that he’s excited about his new chapter with MVP.
“I’ve been training for the last three weeks and it’s a good feeling to be back where it all started. Being there now, it feels really good and the environment is really great. I’m in good spirits, good mind frame and I’m just ready to see the results I’ll put out,” he said.
While they haven’t established a long-term plan yet, Broadbell believes that reuniting with Stephen Francis was the right decision for him at this point in his career.
“For right now, it’s mostly conditioning and getting back my body to what it’s used to. We haven’t really sat down and talked about things in-depth. We’ve talked about a few things but nothing specific in what we want to do,” said Broadbell.
“Our goals have been aligned since I was there at the end of 2019, so I don’t think anything has changed per se. We both share those goals and with the help of his experience and everything about track and field, those goals can come to life next year.”
One of Broadbell’s immediate objectives is to win his first World Championships medal next September in Japan’s capital.
“When Tokyo was around, it was the Olympics I picked up an injury and I wasn’t able to make the team. That made the season very hard for me. This year I’m looking to make the team and ensure I come back with a medal,” he said.
In 2023, Broadbell clocked a personal best of 12.94 seconds which made him the third-fastest Jamaican in history, behind Olympic champions Omar McLeod (12.90) and Hansle Parchment (12.93).
However, he believes he can not only break the national record but potentially challenge American Aries Meritt’s world record of 12.80, set back in 2012.
“Even with that 12.94, I wasn’t at my best. Prior to that, I had to sit out two weeks because I felt something in my hamstring, and I didn’t do anything for a complete week except jogging. Then three days out I did a little blocks work and we just said the championships is here so we hit it,” he said.
“Whenever my body gives me what I want on a specific day what I need it to do being in good health, it’s going to be crazy. I can’t even put a number on it but I just know it’s going to be really crazy!” Broadbell added.
While looking forward to the future, Broadbell says he’s grateful he was able to have a successful 2024 season after overcoming several challenges.
“This year I had a lot of ups and downs; most of them in my knees and hamstrings which blew out early in the season and within four weeks, I got myself prepared for the National Championships and then from then, I proceeded to the Olympics and claimed a bronze medal knowing that I was the slowest in that race. Not everyone gets one, you may get a world medal or world record but an Olympic medal is every four years, it’s not a sure thing so it’s a great feeling.
“With the help of my family and my immediate circle, they motivated me and told me I’m there, I’m one of those guys that when you talk about 110m hurdles, they talk about me. When I got to the line, I feel like I rose to the occasion and those are the moments Iive for. I like to be part of greatness, it was one of the most epic races I’ve ever run. With the help of my circle and family, it helped push me to get on the podium,” Broadbell added.
